The new fad involves posting videos of teens jumping into ice-cold water, which (unsurprisingly) has a very high chance of ending in tragedy. The Post-Crescent reports that Davis Colley, 16, of Minnesota, drowned in a frigid lake last week. Before his death, Colley texted a friend that he was taking part in the "Cold Water Challenge."

What do parents need to know about the "Cold Water Challenge?"

Another Inane Internet Challenge

Move over "Cinnamon Challenge," teens on YouTube and social media have turned to a more deadly form of recreation -- jumping into near-freezing bodies of water. In addition to Colley's death on Friday, a 16-year-old Wisconsin girl "shredded her knee on a clump of zebra mussel shells in Lake Winnebago" earlier this month during a "Cold Water Challenge" attempt, reports the Post-Crescent.

Apparently the challenge is spread much like a chain letter: A person receives a "nomination" over text or social media to perform the "Cold Water Challenge," and in accepting the challenge, that person then nominates several other friends to join the dangerous game.

While this challenge seems similar to the "Polar Plunge," a charity event supporting the Special Olympics, it lacks any noble purpose or safety precautions. Coast Guard officials noted in a press release that "this is a fundamentally unsafe activity" and "needlessly reckless."

Not only do these jumps into cold water lead to drowning, but participants often misjudge the depth of the water, raising the risk of broken limbs and even paralysis. Rescuers also warn against the danger of the "gasp reflex" when hitting cold water, which can lead to drowning, reports the Post-Crescent.

Tips to Avoid a Watery Grave

Despite the inherent risks of diving into icy waters, there are a few ways to keep "Challenge" participants safe(r):

Wear a life jacket. Whether you're boating or deciding to take part in the "Challenge," a life jacket will prevent you from becoming a water-logged corpse.

Don't jump/dive off piers. This is good advice for pool owners as well: Don't jump or dive into shallow water. If you can't tell how deep it is, assume shallow enough to be dangerous.

Participate with friends. Didn't you see "127 Hours"? Don't do extreme sports or challenges alone.

Go slowly. You can (more) safely immerse yourself and avoid the "gasp reflex" by getting slowly into the water.

Of course the best way to avoid injury: Avoid taking part in the "Cold Water Challenge." Fifteen seconds of fame on YouTube just isn't worth the risk.

That's why they call it climate change. Throughout the Midwest, East and Southeast, Americans have been faced with an icy blast from Arctic air since last weekend, according to meteorologists. The Southeast, not accustomed to the extreme cold has been hit hardest, shivering in temps that have plunged 10 to 35 degrees below normal for the last two weeks.

Since this cold snap coincides with the to-be-hoped tail end of the great recession, many are still struggling to pay their most basic bills, including gas and electricity. What happens if, during the coldest weather on record, you are faced with the power company threatening to cut off your heat because the bill has not been paid?

Unfortunately, it is the southern states who are suffering the most from the unexpected cold and do not have state-wide provisions like those listed above. Some southern governments and agencies are being proactive under the stress of weather emergencies. CNN reports that in Memphis, homeowners who had their heat discontinued due to failure to pay had it restored by the city.

If paying the utility bill has become difficult and you are concerned about turn off due to non payment, there are steps you can take. Most utilities suggest that you contact the company first, before your heat, light and/or gas has been shut off. It is easier to keep these utilities on, than to reestablish them, once they have been shut off. According to Turn (a consumer advocate group), power companies may not shut of your utilities without notice and, "[i]f you cannot pay your entire bill in but you are able to make partial payments, the utility must extend your payments." Companies will also take the medical condition of household members into consideration before initiating a shut off.

As with nearly everything else, early action will help address the problem and keep it from getting worse. It might even keep the light in your life a bit longer this winter.

Lawmakers in New York's Suffolk County passed what would be the first ban on bisphenol-A (BPA) from baby bottles in the US. While Canada has have a similar ban for over a year, and a growing number of US localities may follow, up to now a heavily criticized FDA has found no problem with current levels of BPA exposure.

According to the National Toxicology Program (NTP), BPA is a chemical produced in large quantities for polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Polycarbonate plastics are used in products including baby bottles, cds and medical devices. Epoxy resins are used to line cans, bottle tops and water supply pipes.

What's the concern? BPA leaches from products containing it into people. As the NTP notes, according to a 2003-2004 study by the Center for Disease Control, 93% of urine samples from people six years and older contained detectable levels of BPA. According to Newsday, the harms feared by BPA opponents include increased risk of heart disease, diabetes and stunted growth, along with certain cancers and potential interferences with cancer treatments. The NTP concluded that there is "some concern for effects on the brain, behavior, and prostate gland in fetuses, infants, and children at current human exposures to bisphenol A."

Yesterday, as Newsday reports, legislators in Suffolk County New York voted to ban the sale of baby bottles and sippy cups intended for children 3 or younger containing BPA. Should it be enacted, this would reportedly make Suffolk County the first place in the US with such a BPA ban. The growing list of states considering a BPA ban from children's products includes Washington, Oregon, California, Connecticut and Minnesota. As Newsday reports, many retailers have already begun to move away from baby products containing BPA.

At the federal level, controversy has plagued the FDA's response to BPA concerns. Last August, the FDA released a Draft Assessment of BPA, finding an "adequate margin of safety" in then-current levels of BPA exposure. In October, as USA Today reported, the FDA's findings were rebuked. An FDA advisory board of outside experts unanimously concluded that the FDA was wrong to base its findings solely on studies funded by the chemical industry. The advisory board also admonished the FDA for excluding studies suggesting a harm to children from BPA levels 10 times lower than that allowed by the FDA.

In December, the Washington Post reported that the FDA refused to amend its position on BPA, but would continue to study it. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Rep. Edward Markey and Sen. Charles Schumer will reintroduce federal legislation to ban BPA from children's products.

As Suffolk County illustrated, localities might not wait for the FDA or Congress to act. As praised in a Chicago Tribune editorial, two Chicago city councilmen recently proposed a resolution to aggressively pursue a BPA ban if the FDA doesn't act by April 30.

Two 19-year-old Minnesota women, Brianna Marie Broitzman and Ashton Michelle Larson, were brought into court today to face charges of assault and other counts alleging they abused 15 nursing home residents. Prosecutors claim that over several months in early 2008 they physically, emotionally and sexually abused 15 residents who suffered from Alzheimer's disease, dementia or both.

Although the AP did not report on what might have motivated Broitzman and Larson, the economic downturn is only exacerbating the problem of elder abuse. The sad and frightening reality is that, as more individuals and families feel the effects of the recession, it could be the country's elder population that suffers serious consequences if families shift their time, finances, and attention to other pressing challenges such as increased mortgage payments, foreclosures, and joblessness.

In light of the rising concerns regarding elder abuse, it is important that the public be aware of the different types of elder abuse out there, as well as their warning signs. Here is a short list, along with some of the warning signs:

1) Physical or mental abuse - recurring or unexplained injuries; poorly treated injuries; poor hygiene for the patient or in the surroundings; malnutrition; depression, withdrawal, or a sudden fear of caregivers; a caregiver restricts access to, or isolates, the patient

2) Financial abuse or exploitation - a sudden lack of knowledge about financial matters; a refusal to make decisions on finances; unusual banking activity

Anyone with an elder family member who notices some of the above signs should carefully supervise the situation and/or contact local authorities to alert them. The links below provide helpful information on the subject, including more signs of elder abuse.

Beginning on January 1, Californians who type or read text messages while driving will face a traffic ticket and fine, under a law signed Wednesday by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

California State Bill 28 "specifically bans the use of an electronic wireless communications device to write, send, or read a text-based communication while driving a motor vehicle." Drivers who violate the law will face a "base fine of $20 for a first offense and $50 for each subsequent offense," according to a Press Release from the Office of the California Governor. The San Francisco Chronicle reports that California now joins Connecticut, Lousiana, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Washington as states that have banned texting while driving. As of July 1 2008, California drivers have been required to use a hands-free device to talk on the phone while operating a vehicle, and drivers under the age of 18 have been prohibited from any non-emergency use of an electronic device while driving. (See State-by-State Laws on Driving and Cell Phones/Text Messaging, from the Governors Highway Safety Association)

Minnesota lawmakers have okayed a compensation agreement in connection with last summer's Minneapolis bridge collapse, including a $38M settlement fund for victims and their families.

On August 1, 2007, an Interstate 35W bridge collapsed over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, killing 13 people and injuring dozens. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, the legislation sets up two funds for the 183 victims of the collapse: one $24M fund for victims and their families -- capped at $400,000 per individual -- and a supplemental $12.64M fund for damages above $400,000 for those "extraordinarily impacted" by the collapse. The Minnesota legislature gave final approval to the agreement on May 5th. CNN.com reports that a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation into the cause of the bridge collapse is ongoing.